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Re: Aditya as dvadashAtman. Question

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Sadagopan • July 10, 2001 


At 10:42 PM 6/28/01 -0000, you wrote:
>Pranams,
>In Aditya Hrdayam, there is reference to AdityA as dvAdashAtman. What 
>specifically are these 12 forms?
>-Murali Manohar

Dear Sri Murali Manohar:

In the Vedhic parlance , Vasu-Rudra-AadhithyAs 
go together.

AadhithyAs are 12 in number and are linked to
the solar months. 

They have a complex evolution starting from Rg Vedham
to PurANAs of later date. 

Rg Vedam recognizes 6 AadhithyAs , the Taittiriya 
BrAmanam accounts for 8 AadhithyAs and Sathapatha 
BrahmaNam accepts 12 AadhithyAs and links them to
the 12 Months of the Year. 

The Names of the AadhithyAs are:

1. MithrA (Friendship/Solidarity) 2. AryamAn(Chivalry)
3. Bhagaa( the inherited share) 4. Tvashtar
(craftsmanship)5. Pooshan(Prosperity)  6. Vivasavth
(ancestral Laws) 7. Savitr( Vivifier/the magic power 
of words)8. Sakraa ( Courage)9. VaruNaa (fate)10.Dakshaa
( ritual skill) 11. Amsaa(the God's given share)
and (12) VishNu (Cosmic Law/All pervading Light of 
Knowledge/The Cosmic Law pervading the three worlds ).

Each Aadhithyaa has a special symbolism .
For instance , Pooshan is recognized as 
the Nourisher .

AadhithyAs are understood as the sons of 
Adhithi or primordial vastness or sky. 

The inclusion of VishNu among the 12 AadhithyAs 
might be surprising . His role and importance 
changes from Rg Vedham thru BrahmaNAs to PurANams. 
His role as all encompassing pervader is however
recognized in the Rg Vedham already . 

Vedhic hierarchies and cosmologies are a special
study unto themselves.There are number of ManthrAs
relating to Aaadhithyan in the oldest of the Vedham ,
Rg Vedham .

V.Sadagopan   
 






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